Qui-Gon nodded. “What do you foresee as problems we might encounter?” he asked carefully. He didn’t want to bring up Prince Beju. He wanted the Queen to introduce the topic. That would tell him where her sympathies resided.
“My son, Beju,” she said flatly. “The last in line of the great Tallah dynasty - a fact he does not let you forget for a moment. All his life he has waited to rule Gala. He has not forgiven me for calling elections. He will be some trouble for you, I’m afraid. If he wins the election, he will retain the monarchy.” She shrugged. “He has some support. But what he cannot inspire, he will buy or steal, I’m afraid.”
Qui-Gon nodded, trying not to show his surprise at the mother’s harsh words about her son.
“I will not oppose my son,” Queen Veda continued. “It is true that I’ve denied him his birthright. I owe him my loyalty at least. I won’t endorse another candidate publicly. But privately, I wish my son to lose. It is not only best for Gala. It is best for Beju. I wish him to become a private citizen, to be rid of all this.” She waved her hand to take in the immense chamber. “I saw what this power did to my husband.
It corrupted him, and he was a good man. I do not want to see my son suffer the same fate. He’s only sixteen. He will understand in time why I’ve done this. He is also my legacy,” Queen Veda finished softly. “I wish to leave behind a son with a life that is good.”
“Do you think he has a chance to win?” Qui-Gon asked.
The Queen frowned. “There is still a core of royalist supporters. The Prince has been secluded for much of his life, since we feared for his safety. He was even schooled off-planet. Not much is known about him, and that can work in his favor. He might be able to squeak by. I do hope not.”
Queen Veda smiled at Qui-Gon. “You are surprised at my honesty. When time runs out, you don’t waste it by fooling yourself.”
“What about the other candidates, Deca Brun and Wila Prammi?” Obi-Wan asked. “Is there a favorite?”
“Deca Brun is favored,” Queen Veda answered. “He’s a hero to the Galacian people. He promises them reform and prosperity. It won’t be that easy, but he makes it sound so.”
“And Wila Prammi?” Qui-Gon prompted.
“She has more experience,” the Queen replied. “She was an underminister here at the palace. Her ideas are sound and
grounded
in
reality. Unfortunately, her palace experience hurts her in some quarters, and her bluntness hurts her in others. She has her faction, but is expected to lose.”
“Were you anticipating violence?” Qui-Gon asked. “We ran into some supporters on the street. Tempers are running high.”
“Yes, there have been clashes,” the Queen admitted. “But I believe the people want a peaceful transition. As long as they feel the elections are honest, they won’t revolt, I hope.”
Queen Veda sat silently for a moment. Qui-Gon wondered if she was fading. Then he realized that she was gathering herself to say something. He knew that what she would tell them next was the real reason she had summoned them here. He glanced at Obi-Wan to make sure the boy would wait for the Queen to speak. Obi-Wan nodded.
“There is a wild card,” the Queen said at last. “Another factor that is important for you to understand. Elan.”
“Elan?” Qui-Gon had not heard this name before.
“There is a faction of Galacians known as the hill people,” Queen Veda explained. She smoothed the tiled mosaic of the table in front of her and a piece of blue azurite came off in her hand. She rolled it in her palm, her rings flashing in the sunlight that poured through the window behind her. “Elan is their leader. The hill people are exiles who opposed the monarchy and gathered in the rough mountain terrain outside the capital city to live outside its laws. They recognize no king or queen. They are rumored to be ferocious, unfriendly. They never stay in one place for long. They raise their own food and have their own healers. They are rarely seen by outsiders. Yet they are greatly feared and hated. Elan herself is a legend, almost a ghost. I have not managed to find one person who has actually seen her.”
“Will they vote in the election?” Qui-Gon asked.
Queen Veda shook her head. “No. They have refused. They were courted by both Deca Brun and Wila Prammi, but Elan refused to meet with them. She will not recognize the new governor, just as she never recognized King Cana or myself.”
“If this is true, why do you call Elan a factor in the election?” Qui-Gon asked.
“Ah,” the Queen said. “The last piece slips into place.” She slid the piece of azurite back in the mosaic design. “Now the picture is complete.”